American Folk Art Museum, New York City: Hours, Address, American Folk Art Museum Reviews: 4/5
American Folk Art Museum
American Folk Art Museum
4
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
The American Folk Art Museum is the premier institution devoted to the aesthetic appreciation of traditional folk art and creative expressions of contemporary self-taught artists from the United States and abroad. The museum preserves, conserves, and interprets a comprehensive collection of the highest quality, with objects dating from the eighteenth century to the present.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
How to get there
- 66th St – Lincoln Center • 1 min walk
- 59th St – Columbus Circle • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
8,800 within 3 miles
Boulud Sud
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Lincoln Ristorante
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The Leopard at des Artistes
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Magnolia Bakery
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0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
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383 ft$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
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Cafe Fiorello
1,379
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Tavern on the Green
3,401
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
Jean Georges
1,959
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Attractions
1,565 within 6 miles
Richard Tucker Square
2
55 ftParks
Eva & Morris Feld Gallery
117 ftArt Museums
Manhattan New York Temple
121 ftReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Lincoln Square
65
137 ftNeighborhoods
Alice Tully Hall
20
193 ftTheaters
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
2,484
496 ftTheaters
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
72
349 ftLibraries • Educational sites
David Geffen Hall
44
458 ftTheaters
Central Park's Literary Walk
85
0.1 miHistoric Walking Areas
David H. Koch Theater
46
0.1 miTheaters
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
198 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
73
Average
31
Poor
15
Terrible
12
Itinerant_Foodies
Greensboro, NC587 contributions
Couples
This is a small museum so it’s easy to go through the entire exhibit in an hour or so which is advantageous in the sense that we’re more likely to thoroughly read all of the information. In this case, the exhibit was one of historical weathervanes which was fascinating and well worth our time. The gift shop was well stocked with interesting items, not just the usual mass produced museum shop fare.
Written January 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cassandra M
Baltimore195 contributions
This was a surprising museum. I expected more decorative arts. Instead there was more outsider art. The collection was interesting but very hard to read in the dim light. The museum is free but required timed tickets due to COVID limits.
Written May 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN2,553 contributions
I really enjoyed this modest, one floor museum right across from Lincoln Center. I wish I could have taken more photos to illustrate this review, but most of the exhibits were photography exhibits, so not easily translated into photos yet again.
Lots of recovered photos. Many risqué photos of women from the 50s (some are very explicit, so be prepared). I also really enjoyed the photos taken by Mark Hogancamp, who was chronicled in the Steve Carell film “Welcome to Marwen,” though Hogancamp called his imaginary land “Marwencol.”
So much of this museum was edgy, raw art, by real people, with a lot of feeling behind each piece. This museum tries to focus on self-taught artists.
Admission is free.
Exhibits rotate frequently and I would definitely visit again!
Lots of recovered photos. Many risqué photos of women from the 50s (some are very explicit, so be prepared). I also really enjoyed the photos taken by Mark Hogancamp, who was chronicled in the Steve Carell film “Welcome to Marwen,” though Hogancamp called his imaginary land “Marwencol.”
So much of this museum was edgy, raw art, by real people, with a lot of feeling behind each piece. This museum tries to focus on self-taught artists.
Admission is free.
Exhibits rotate frequently and I would definitely visit again!
Written March 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
anorth52
New York City, NY350 contributions
Very friendly staff and a comfortable space. Currently has an interesting and insightful exhibition of works by non-mainstream photographers,
Written February 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stevelotte
Montville, NJ505 contributions
I was hoping for more from this visit. The museum is very small. I remember when it was on 53rd Street especially the carousel horse exhibit. I was hoping to see more of the quilts in the collection.
What was on display was well curated and I would definitely give it a very good for that but I would really have chosen a "Good" for all that was missing.
It has a lovely gift shop which was also very well curated. Lovely selection of items.
Location was great for exploring Upper West Side.
What was on display was well curated and I would definitely give it a very good for that but I would really have chosen a "Good" for all that was missing.
It has a lovely gift shop which was also very well curated. Lovely selection of items.
Location was great for exploring Upper West Side.
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
biosafety-guy
Andover, MA239 contributions
This is a small museum, about an hour to see all the exhibits, the museum store is well worth some time. The art work ranges from so-so to excellent. I wished that some of the art had more of an explanation, all to often was just artist (if known), location and date. It is worth a visit, especially if you need to kill some time before or after a Lincoln Center performance.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mavi B
Dubai, United Arab Emirates70 contributions
Small museum but still interesting. There are several works that are absolutely worth a visit. Last but not least, admission is free. Only a $ 10 offer is recommended.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SwissPinkPanther
New York City, NY116 contributions
Although not perfect, this "niche" of a museum needs to garner more visitors and more respect. I was shocked when I went to see how few reviews were submitted in all of 2019... only 12 !!!
How you rate The American Folk Art Museum, which is located just a half block north from Lincoln Center on the opposite side of the street, is likely to depend on the art on display more than anything else. The museum sits on the corner, in a non descript building. Just look for the big red sign out front, you cant miss it.
First..to define what Folk Art is...." Folk art is of, by, and for the people; all people, inclusive of class, status, culture, community, ethnicity, gender, and religion. " It is self taught.
For those who think folk art is limited to Pennsylvania Dutch or some other regional art form , or dates back only to the 1700's or 1800's may be disappointed as to what they find inside ...
I always wanted to visit this museum before the architectural gem of a building in which it was housed was demolished to make way for the expanded MoMA in mid town. Sadly, as someone else has mentioned .... the current museum feels more like a gallery than a museum. I have to believe and "hope" that the Folk Art museum was handsomely compensated by MoMA and that its current location is only temporary.
The museum consists of three small "galleries" and a museum store, none of which is of architectural interest. As others have said, the museum is free ....although I feel that a donation of $5 per person is adequate given how small the exhibit space is.
Of course, what makes the museum special is the art work. I was motivated to go due to a review I read of the exhibit...
Memory Palaces: Inside the Collection of Audrey B. Heckler
The Heckler collection has a number of wonderful pieces, many in the Art Brut style which I so much enjoy. In layman's terms, Art Brut is art created by individuals who have no formal training in art.... again this could also be defined as an offshoot of Folk Art. In the case of Art Brut, many of the artists have emotional or psychological problems.... many are orphans, loaners, come from broken families and many created their work while confined to psychiatric institutions. In most case, these are very damaged individuals...and yet the art that they've generated is absolutely amazing. For one of the finest museums I've ever visited...go to the Art Brut museum in Lausanne, Switzerland ...the permanent collection is STUNNING . Art Brut definitely fits within the definition of Folk Art but it definitely also has a VERY modernistic feel to it contrary to what you might think Folk Art should be.
I would suggest that when you go, if you have doubts about the exhibit being shown , then enter for free. if the collection wows you then make a healthy donation upon exiting.
Unlike its previous home, the current building in which the museum is housed has no architectural interest. The inside as well lacks interest. . Another negative relates to how the art work is displayed... The signage for the current exhibit is all about 4 feet from the floor. If you want to read something about a particular piece you literally have to bend over to read what you are seeing... this was a BIG PAIN especially for anyone 6 feet and taller .... and there is no excuse for this exhibit flaw. There were four areas that also had audio equipment describing the art you were viewing.... but only one of the four worked when I visited.
I'm giving the American Folk Art museum four stars...based primarily on the " At Brut" pieces on display and that the museum is potentially "free". I do strongly feel that if the art does appeal to you that you do make a generous donation. The museum store also offers good quality gifts but I found it priced a bit on the high side.
Again, if you are in the vicinity of Lincoln Center I definitely would walk over to see what is being exhibited. If you are unsure you will like the exhibit, then wait until you exit before you donate. You could also always buy something at the Museum Store given that the profits support the museum.
But please donate something and please step in if you are in the vicinity of Lincoln Center. The one big plus about being small is that the collection does not overwhelm you like it does sometimes when going to the Met or MoMA.
How you rate The American Folk Art Museum, which is located just a half block north from Lincoln Center on the opposite side of the street, is likely to depend on the art on display more than anything else. The museum sits on the corner, in a non descript building. Just look for the big red sign out front, you cant miss it.
First..to define what Folk Art is...." Folk art is of, by, and for the people; all people, inclusive of class, status, culture, community, ethnicity, gender, and religion. " It is self taught.
For those who think folk art is limited to Pennsylvania Dutch or some other regional art form , or dates back only to the 1700's or 1800's may be disappointed as to what they find inside ...
I always wanted to visit this museum before the architectural gem of a building in which it was housed was demolished to make way for the expanded MoMA in mid town. Sadly, as someone else has mentioned .... the current museum feels more like a gallery than a museum. I have to believe and "hope" that the Folk Art museum was handsomely compensated by MoMA and that its current location is only temporary.
The museum consists of three small "galleries" and a museum store, none of which is of architectural interest. As others have said, the museum is free ....although I feel that a donation of $5 per person is adequate given how small the exhibit space is.
Of course, what makes the museum special is the art work. I was motivated to go due to a review I read of the exhibit...
Memory Palaces: Inside the Collection of Audrey B. Heckler
The Heckler collection has a number of wonderful pieces, many in the Art Brut style which I so much enjoy. In layman's terms, Art Brut is art created by individuals who have no formal training in art.... again this could also be defined as an offshoot of Folk Art. In the case of Art Brut, many of the artists have emotional or psychological problems.... many are orphans, loaners, come from broken families and many created their work while confined to psychiatric institutions. In most case, these are very damaged individuals...and yet the art that they've generated is absolutely amazing. For one of the finest museums I've ever visited...go to the Art Brut museum in Lausanne, Switzerland ...the permanent collection is STUNNING . Art Brut definitely fits within the definition of Folk Art but it definitely also has a VERY modernistic feel to it contrary to what you might think Folk Art should be.
I would suggest that when you go, if you have doubts about the exhibit being shown , then enter for free. if the collection wows you then make a healthy donation upon exiting.
Unlike its previous home, the current building in which the museum is housed has no architectural interest. The inside as well lacks interest. . Another negative relates to how the art work is displayed... The signage for the current exhibit is all about 4 feet from the floor. If you want to read something about a particular piece you literally have to bend over to read what you are seeing... this was a BIG PAIN especially for anyone 6 feet and taller .... and there is no excuse for this exhibit flaw. There were four areas that also had audio equipment describing the art you were viewing.... but only one of the four worked when I visited.
I'm giving the American Folk Art museum four stars...based primarily on the " At Brut" pieces on display and that the museum is potentially "free". I do strongly feel that if the art does appeal to you that you do make a generous donation. The museum store also offers good quality gifts but I found it priced a bit on the high side.
Again, if you are in the vicinity of Lincoln Center I definitely would walk over to see what is being exhibited. If you are unsure you will like the exhibit, then wait until you exit before you donate. You could also always buy something at the Museum Store given that the profits support the museum.
But please donate something and please step in if you are in the vicinity of Lincoln Center. The one big plus about being small is that the collection does not overwhelm you like it does sometimes when going to the Met or MoMA.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
missamorgan10
Caerphilly County, UK371 contributions
Couples
We really enjoyed the visit. Great work on display. Friendly staff and a wonderful gift shop at the front of the museum. Worth a visit.
Written November 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EiWiSu
Drammen, Norway1,818 contributions
Friends
This is a charming little gem of a museum. They are now showing a private collection with very interesting pieces of self-taught art - folk art. It makes you think in a new way about the way you look at art!
Written November 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wilhelmina411
Bellows Falls, VT2 contributions
Are you wheel chair accessible?
srfein
New York City, NY
Yes, the museum is fully wheelchair accessible. I do not know about street parking in the area, but there is a 24 hour parking garage on Broadway and 64th Streets.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Folk Art Museum
- American Folk Art Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Tue - Thu 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 12:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Sat - Sat 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Hotels near American Folk Art Museum:
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- (0.18 mi) West Side YMCA
- Restaurants near American Folk Art Museum:
- (0.01 mi) American Table Cafe and Bar
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- (0.03 mi) Cafe B
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